The Moon & Antarctica

7 / 10
If discordance is the refuge of the terminally obstinate, then Modest Mouse are its reluctantly tender conduit; a trio of lovesick Statesiders heaven-bent on contradicting themselves at every turn. It's been a long and twisted road for Seattle's most difficult sons; a trip that has already begot two albums, each bristling with vividly elemental imagery and almost-realised ideas.

) utterly failing to conceal its grudgingly romantic heart. Never content with a simple strum when a spiralling semi-Eastern effects-fest will do, however, 'Dark Centre Of The Universe' - the album's centrepiece - shows the Mouse at their awkward, contrary best. Frustrating. Stubborn. But always charming.